Hello, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to the board. I am 30 years old, I have always been drawn to Buddhism. My best friend at school was a buddhist and taught me a great deal. But being young I had to explorer other ideas and faiths, and have spent much time challenging each one. I always come back to Buddhism. I find Buddhism is the only "faith" so to speak that really works for me, reinforcing beliefs I already have. Over the last year I have read a great deal. A whole mountain of books. I am now at the stage of going back over the things I have read. I have a notebook/ journal in which I attempt to study what I have learnt and try to understand my own thoughts. I have embraced meditation and am trying to meditate daily. I still think of myself very much new to buddhism and it all seems very confusing at times. I now live in a small rural community far away from any buddhist centres and anyone that I can talk too. So i am glad to have found your message boards.